1.
invasive species; non-native species
A species of plant or animal brought into an ecosystem from outside and that has become established there. In Japanese usage, 外来種 often carries a negative connotation because such species can disrupt local ecosystems and threaten native wildlife.
外来種の魚。
A non-native species of fish.
外来種が川の生態系を壊している。
Invasive species are damaging the river's ecosystem.
環境省は、特定の外来種の飼育や販売を法律で規制している。
The Ministry of the Environment legally regulates the keeping and sale of certain invasive species.
Composed of 外来 (coming from outside) and 種 (species, kind). A biology and environmental-policy term that is also widely used in everyday news and conversation about nature conservation. While literally meaning "foreign species," in practice it often refers specifically to problematic invasive species that harm local ecosystems.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 特定外来種: designated invasive species (legally regulated)
- 外来種の駆除: extermination of invasive species
- 外来種問題: the invasive species problem
- 外来種が増える: invasive species increase in number
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 在来種: native species — the opposite of 外来種
- 固有種: endemic species — found only in a specific region
- 帰化生物: naturalized organism — a non-native species that has fully established itself